Last night at the Sandeep's, for the first time this year, I finally got to sit down and gulp a few pegs of Scotch. The Rajesh's and Mickey's had all come too. Rika came with her cute one-week old daughter. They were yet to figure out whether to name her Rania or Laila.
A sumptuous meal followed. Courtesy our host: Parul. There was a serious discussion on whether Parul should start Indian cooking classes in Stockholm. While the discussion went nowhere, all the food and drinks went to the right place at the right time. Sandeep had bought some expensive Fenny from his New year Goa and Rest of India trip. The others felt it was too much to gulp even with Schweppes diluting it and therefore reverted to the trusted Scotch soonafter.
The stage was set to watch a movie and it was decided that Slumdog Millionaire it will be.
Commotion prevailed even before the movie started. I went quiet after the movie began playing. There was even more commotion after that. The commotion created by the junta returning home to put the kids to bed was welcomed by me(though, I did not express it). Sandeep and I decided that we will watch the movie from the beginning, once again.
I was finally at peace to watch a rather violent start to the movie.
The screenplay was simply brilliant. It was nice to see the Mumbai chaws and streets shown so well on the silverscreen. We dont get to see them in "see them as they are" states even in many of the Bollywood movies these days.
Danny Boyle's bold take on the nuaces of Mumbai slums and the emotions surrounding it has to be applauded. While many are already talking about the next set of Oscars going to him and his team, I am still contemplating what took the moviemakers to come out with a masterpiece like this one? If a 400-odd rupees Vikas Swarup's book can inspire a movie like this, India is definitely in to bag every alternate Academy and Globe awards and any other Critics award world over. We just need more writers I guess!
The story revolves around Jamal, a slumdog from the Mumbai streets. The storyline is splendid. The movie is a breathtaking take on reality of the TV-world, ego of TV-personalities, small wishes of people from the smaller world, the call-center world and most importantly the torture of homeless kids and their stuggle to survive in a harsh-environment.
For some reason, this movie reminded me of another masterpiece called City of Angels. Though it is completely set in a different world of Rio's terror streets.
The central theme in the movie is that Love ke liye apun(Jamal) kuch bhi karega.
The creative idea of using a TV-show like Who wants to be a Millionaire in order to reach out to other(true) facets of life in Mumbai needs to be lauded over and over again. The movie lives up the pace of a Mumbaikar's everyday life. Pauses only to get up and start running all over again. Exceptional screenplay.
I've never been a ARR fan, but his background play in this movie adds the necessary tension and blends well with the emotions in the movie. A low in this movie though is a Bollywood-like number at the completion of the movie. It was unnecessary.
My only recommendation is Watch it, digest it and come back to watch it all over again.
On a scale of 10, I award a 7 to this Millionaire movie.
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3 comments:
Hey Rajesh :)
I know not how I landed at your blog but I sure don't regret it now. You seem very expressive, now I'm telling you all this crap because I am looking to join the Linkoping University in this Fall and it would mean tonnes of help if you can tell me about the way of life in Sweden, like the kind of
Student population that prevails, Is it a real mix up of cultures, Is it easy
for someone from India to get adapted to Swedish lifestyle quickly I mean the extreme climates as compared to our Indian climates, how tough
or easy is the Master's program in class, the type of work students do mostly
in a Master's program in Sweden, the likelihood of finding a part time job at
this period of global recession, the possible jobs available for Master's
degree graduates, the Major IT related companies in Sweden, the cost of
buying used cars and bikes and such general queries that any youngster with
an option of Australia/Sweden might have... I'm terribly confused about the fairness of the two countries in views of Education and then Work in the same country, I'm gonna need your help bro, Advance Thanks :):)
Also let me know if you are on Orkut or FB or any such pages.. Don't worry I'm not a biter I don't Bite ;)
Please write back
Hi,
Linkoping University will be good.
It is a large niversity town and many industries have their R&D centers there. Sweden particularly has a high concentraton of expats. Etremely amicable to live in, warm-hearted people, probably least of the racial, if not completely non-racial place. High-social security, good quality life in Sweden will be a welcome change for you. I am unaware how tough or easy your Master's program is gonna be, but I believe if you have studied in India, you should be able to cope up with any school conditions-globally. Everyone does everything in Sweden and if you have no such reservations, you should be able to find a part-time job. Wont be a cake-walk, and also finding time isn't easy. Respect time and respect other's time too. Possible jobs, etc is a long shot man. Hopefully by the time you graduate, the market muck should have disappeared and recruitment must kickstart again at the Universities. Its a land of innovation, IPs in every corner of the street and the land of Ericssons, SEMCs, Electroluxs, Volvos, etc, etc... make an effort to join Swedish learning classes..its worth the effort, helps you any day.. very few companies do the biasing.. if at all.
Cars in US is inevitable. Bikes in Europe? you must be a millionaire to do so... not worth it. Public transport is amongst the best.. unsure which part of India u come from, but do not spend on a car or bike.. taht's my advise... atleast get a job there and then think of spending the monies..
I do not know about Australia. Its a large place. Cultures vary from city to city just like how they vary from house to house in India :-)
I am on facebook . You should be able to find a link on my blog..
cheers,
Rajesh, your review of Slumdog Millionaire is a compelling read! You’ve beautifully captured the essence of the film and its vibrant portrayal of Mumbai's slums. Your admiration for Danny Boyle's bold direction and the brilliant screenplay shines through, as does your appreciation for the authentic depiction of Mumbai's chawls and streets. It's refreshing to see your acknowledgment of A.R. Rahman's impactful background score, even though you’re not typically a fan. Your critique is balanced and thoughtful, especially highlighting the movie's unique use of a TV show to unravel deeper societal issues. I completely agree with your recommendation to watch, digest, and rewatch this masterpiece. Thank you for sharing your insightful perspective!
Warm regards,
Bungalow Finder
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